Explosive fountain pen



June 2, 1953 s. s. ADAMS EXPLOSIVE FOUNTAIN PEN Filed Oct. 31, 1952 1. 7YEnt'sr' 5orezz 5, Adams Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a trick, or novelty, fountain pen. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to an explosive fountain pen of thetype which is designed to permit safe use while at the same timeproviding an explosion calculated to afford amusement to onlookers andextreme surprise to the user.

Exploding toys of various types have long been known in the art of tricknovelty amusement de vices. One of the chief disadvantages, however, ofthe explosive type of novelty is the necessity that an explosive charge,usually of the common paper percussion cap variety is required toproduce a satisfactory explosive characteristic. The presence of thisexplosive material, while it is not of very large proportions,neverthless causes concern among those using the device as well as thoseupon whom the trick is played.

It, therefore is an object of the present invention to provide anexplosive fountain pen in which the danger of inadvertent explosion ofthe percussion cap during loading of the device is minimized.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novelcap retaining structure which completely eliminates the possibility ofmisfire due to a dislodging of the cap during carrying or other handlingof the novelty fountain pen.

Still a further object is the provision of a percussion mechanism whichexplodes the percussion cap at a point which is guarded from the user ofthe fountain pen so that the danger of injury by the explosion iseliminated.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel andsimplified loading construction wherein a minimum amount of manualdexterity is required to cock and load the detonating apparatus.

I Still a further feature of the present invention is the provision of anovel and effective percussion cap retaining mechanism which securelyholds the cap and yet requires no sharp edges or other fastening means.

Still a further feature of the present invention is the provision of asimple and yet an extremely rigid detonating device for use in noveltyarticles of the type in which a loud report is desired.

Still other and further objects will become apparent to those skilled inthe art from a consideration of the accompanying drawings which disclosea preferred embodiment by way of illustration only.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a showing of the fountain pen novelty as it looks in itsloaded position ready for use;

Figure 2 is a disclosure of the fountain pen with the cap in place andshowing the detonating mechanism in the detonated or uncooked position;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the detonating mechanism as shown in Figure 2but removed from the pen barrel;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the novelty pen showing the positionof the parts in the cocked position immediately prior to placing the capin the cap chamber and showing the hammer in cocked position; I

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of Figure 3and clearly showing the cap retaining ears utilized in the presentconstruction. I

As shown on the drawings:

The outer casing of the novelty fountain pen is constructed to exactlyresemble the common fountain or ball-point pen now on the market andcomprises a barrel I upon which a cap 2 having a pocket clip 3 isposition-ed. A s'lightly tapered surface 4 is provided at the cap end ofthe barrel l so that a frictional fit is provided for maintaining thecap in its position on the barrel when the pen is to be carried about inits uncocked position.

A detonating mechanism generally indicated at 5 is positioned inthe'barrel inside the cap 2 and is exposed to view upon removal of thecap from the barrel. g

As may be seen from Figure 3, the detonatingmechanism 5 is provided witha split ferrule 6 having ears to which resiliently and springinglyengage the inner walls of the barrel I to retain the detonatingmechanism 5 tightly positioned therein. The detonating mechanism 5 hasan intermediate portion 1 which is as clearly shown in thecross-sectional view in Fig. 5, of arcuate form. This intermediateportion forms a pocket for the retention of a percussion cap and as maybe seen from the elevational views inFigs. 2 and 4, a depression 8 isformed in the bottom of this intermediate portion causing a hollowpocket or anvil to be formed in the bottom surface of the intermediateportion 1. As may be seen, this depression is defined by the bulgeindicated at 8 and is formed by displacing the sheet metal slightlyoutwardly during the stamping process.

At the upper edge of the intermediate portion ears 9 are deflectedinwardly. These ears 9 provide abutments for containing the outer edgesof the paper cap I0 as is shown in Figure 5. It is noted in connectionwith the ears 9 that while they have proved extremely desirable ineliminating all possibility of the cap becoming dislodged from itsposition in the pocket 8, the ears are not absolutely essential inproducing an operative structure since the outward deformation of thepocket 8 tends to prevent the cap from shifting axially of the pen ineither direction and the curvature of the intermediate portion 1 is byitself sufficient in many instances to retain the cap in the pocket.

A hammer i2 is pivoted atthe pivot'point 13 to the detonator body. Thepin [3 is surrounded by a helical spring I 4 having arms 65 and 86 whichcoact with the hammer l2 and the end portion I l of the detonator body.Zihis spring M biases th hammer into the position shown in Figures 2 and3 with a substantiai'force. The hammer I2 is provided with ears which,when the hammer is in the position shown inTigures 2 and 3, extendslightly above the cutaway portion [9 of the intermediate section 1 ofthe detonator body. 'Si-nce thehammer [.2 is made from sheet metalinthesame manneras the detonator body 5 and is made -to-iconiormtherewith, the hammer is arcuate in cross-section. In view-oi thisarcuate construction :the ears to extend slightly beyond the sides :ofthe intermediate portion '5 at the cutaway I9. This extension provides{a gripping portion \or gripping ear which maybe easily-graspedbyvtheuser to cock the hammer.

In :preparing the novelty explosive fountain pen for surprising aprospectiveuser, the cap '2 is removed irom the barrel exposing :the 1detonating member intheposition-shown in Figures 2 and? 'Theuserthen=graspsithehammer it by the ears I8 and pulls the hammer backagainst the force of the-spring tiinto a position approximatelythatshown-in Figure 4. In actual practice the tcockingof the hammer israther simplelsince theuserican easily grasp the barrelin-onehand, andthe ears l 5 between the thumb and forefinger ofthe other hand. as soonas the. hammer is lifted slightlyiofl its seat, the user-may theninterpose the thumb, of the hand holding the barrel 1 between theihammer 12am the pocket Band then proceed to force the hammer I2 all theway back-to its cocked position as shown in Figure 4 by merely pushinghis thumb .axially along thepen --u-pw-ardly as viewed in Figure 4.

With the hammer 12 in the position as shown in Figures, the cap-i2 isslid-over theendportion of the detonator body :11 and the hammer 12. Thespring l A presses the hammer J2 away from the end portion 1H and thetwo in combination tend to .frictionally grip the cap'in a tight manner.With the parts =in-this position it is impossible ,for theihammertoinadvertently fall. The safety may be increased-by push-ing th cap 2downwardly as viewed in Figure 4 =until it covers alLbut the-cap pocket8. With theparts in-this position-thecaplfl, which is-of the generally--available commercial paper variety, is pressed into the anvil recess"org -pockets .As is shown in Figure 5, :thecap assumes -a somewhat.arcuateform to conform with the walls 8 of the pocket of theintermediate portion. This bending of-the cap into-an arcua-te form.causesa pressure tobe exerted in the direction indicated .by the-.arrows in Figure 5 upon :the walls 8. Thisiorce will tend to maintainthe capin position in thepocket. However, in order to positively insurethat-the cap'will stay in the pocket provided for it, the ears -9.-already described re-provided- These ears-project Tm- 4 wardly asumcient distance to intercept the ends of the cap Hi and positivelyprevent its inadvertent movement out of the pocket 8. As explained abovethe cap is prevented from moving in a direction axially of the pen bythe deformed edges of the pocket, clearly shown in Figure 4 at Bar. Assoon as the cap is positioned as above described in th pocket 8, the cap2 is slid along the detonator body against the resistance imposed by theattempted separation-of the ma hers I! and lfiuntil it impinges on-thesurface 4 of the barrel 2. With the parts in this position *the penlooks as shown in Figure l and appears tobeidentical to any one ofthousands of various makes of commonly used fountain pens.

v:Itwv'vill he -apparent from the above disclosure taken-in connectionwith the drawings that I have provided an extremely simple, safedctonating fountain pen which may be readily manufactured of sheet metalin an inexpensive manner. Thencap containing-bulgenot only provides a-.cap receptacle which prevents inadvertent-dislodgingroi the cap, butit also aids rigidiiying efiect .to the detonator body. thereby greatlystrengthening it. Further, the arcuate form of lthe detonator bodypossesses great strength and provides great rigidity,.therebypreventingmisfiresidue todefiection of the hammer l2 =on impact.Further, the high sides formed by the arcuate walls of theintermediateportion 7 ien'dingin the ears 9 .form asaietybarrier-between the user and .the .actual exploding cap, therebygreatlyprotectinglhim of any "danger of powder horns. .As-also will\benoted, the placement of the cap at an intermediate position ratherthan .at the outer endof the mechanism tends to. place the .cap in a.saieposition.

'It willbe understood thatvmodifications and variations may he :efiectedwithout departing from "the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

II claim as my invention:

'1. A detonating device comprising a sheet metal body member vhaving aferrule atone end for insertion into a fountain .pen like barrel, anintermediate portion having an arcuate crosssect'ion acrossthe axis ofthebody forming an arcuate cavifiyvand an outer extremity portion, apivot pinibetween said intermediate and said outer portionaa sheet metalarcuately formed hammer. pivotally mounted on said pivot pin, saidarcuatc hammer being biased away from said outer portion toward saidintermediate portion andintoconforming relation therewith, whereby a,.percussion cap may be placed in the arcuate cavity of saidintermediate portion for detonationloy said arcuately-formed hammermoving underthe influence of saidbiasing means.

.2. A .detonating device comprising .a generally cylindricalbody'h'aving an inner end portion for insertioninto'the barrel of .afountain pen-like article,-ianlintermediate .portion' having. an openingcut'in one side of said cylinder and anouter portion likewise having aportion of said cylinder cutaway therefrompivot meanspositionedsubstantially perpendicularly to the axis of said cylinderand betweensaid intermediate portion and said outer portion, hammer means pivotallymounted on said pivotpin, said-hammer means having :an arcuateconfiguration .ior cooperation with the rinner arcuate wall of theintermediate portion of said cylindrical detonating member, the cutawayportion of the -cylinderat the -.intermediate --iportion of said:detonating member, providing access its ears z formed on said hammerand also permitting the movement of said hammer about said pivot to liesubstantially parallel to and adjacent said outer portion, and springbiasing means between said outer portion and said hammer whereby saidhammer is biased from said position adjacentsaid outer portion intocontact with said intermediate portion of said detonating member todetonate a percussion cap held between the hammer and the intermediateportion.

3. A detonating device comprising a body member having inner and outerend portions with an intermediate portion therebetween, said inner endportion being of cylindrical configuration and adapted to be inserted ina barrel of a fountain pen-like article for maintaining said body memberwithin said barrel, a pivot pin between said intermediate portion andsaid outer portion and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of said member, a hammer pivoted to said pivot pin for oscillationfrom a position substantially parallel to and adjacent with said outerportion into a position substantially parallel with and in conformitywith said intermediate portion, biasing means for moving said hammerinto contact with said intermediate portion, said intermediate portionhaving a curved side wall, the curvature being defined by an arcuatesurface drawn about a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of saidmember, abutment means between said intermediate portion and said innerportion for forming a side retaining wall between said curved wall ofthe intermediate portion and said inner portion whereby a paper cap maybe disposed against said arcuate wall and confined axially by saidabutment, said hammer having an arcuate configuration conforming to thearcuate wall of said intermediate portion whereby said hammer and saidarcuate wall are positioned immediately adjacent each other when saidhammer is in its cap detonating position.

4. A detonating device comprising a body member having inner and outerend portions with an intermediate portion therebetween, said inner endportion being of cylindrical configuration and adapted to be inserted ina barrel of a fountain pen-like article for maintaining said body memberwithin said barrel, a pivot pin between said intermediate portion andsaid outer portion and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of said member, a hammer pivoted to said pivot pin for oscillationfrom a position substantially parallel to and adjacent with said outerportion into a position substantially parallel with and in conformitywith said intermediate portion, biasing means for moving said hammerinto contact with said intermediate portion, said intermediate portionhaving a curved side wall, the curvature being defined by an arcuatesurface drawn about a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of saidmember, abutment means between said intermediate portion and said innerportion for forming a side retaining wall between said curved wall ofthe intermediate portion and said inner portion whereby a paper cap maybe disposed against said arcuate wall and confined axially by saidabutment, said hammer having an arcuate configuration conforming to thearcuate wall of said intermediate portion whereby said hammer and saidarcuate wall are positioned immediately adjacent each other when saidhammer is in its cap detonating position, said hammer having ears at theouter extremity thereof for grasping by the user in order to cockthehammer, and the curved wall of said intermediate portion ending in apair 'of inwardly directed ears whereby said percussion car) may bepositively confined against inadvertent movement away from said curvedwall.

5. A novelty exploding pen comprising a barrel member and a cap member,a bodymember associated with said barrel member, detonating meansmounted on said body member comprising a hammerpivoted to said bodymember at a portion intermediate the ends thereof, a semicylindricalcavity in said member, the axis of said semi-cylinder lying parallel tothe longitudinal axis of said pen and perpendicular to the axis of saidpivot, said hammer comprising a semi-cylindrical member having acurvature conforming to the curvature to said body member, biasing meansfor biasing said hammer against said cavity, abutment means on said bodymember at the ends of the cylindrical recess for maintaining acylindrical percussion cap within said recess, and means for maintainingsaid hammer in a cooked position substantially parallel to said endportion during the insertion of said cap in said cylindrical recess,said last named means comprising the cap of said pen.

6. As an article of manufacture, an explosive device for percussion capsand the like and insertable in another article, comprising, an elongatedmember having free ends and a transversely arcuately bowed concavepartially cylindrical section therebetween defining an anvil forreceiving and housing a cap, and a complemental arcuately curved,partially cylindrical hammer pivoted to said member between said concavesection and one of said free ends and swingable over said one free endagainst a biasing force for cooking said hammer and for loading saidanvil with a cap.

'7. A detonating device comprising an elongated member having first andsecond free ends with an intermediate, transversely bowed concaveportion therebetween defining an anvil, means on said first free end forattachment to an article with which the detonating device is to be used,and a transversely bowed hammer pivoted between said second free andsaid intermediate portion and biased into conforming overlying contactwith said concave intermediate portion for detonating a cap positionedtherein.

8. A detonating device comprising an elongated member having first andsecond free ends with an intermediate, transversely bowed butlongitudinally substantially straight concave portion therebetweendefining an anvil, means on said first free end for attachment to anarticle with which the detonating device is to be used, a transverselybowed hammer pivoted between said second free end and said intermediateportion and biased into conforming overlying contact with said concaveintermediate portion for detonating a cap positioned therein, and saidhammer having transversely extending ears for gripping by the operatorwhereby the hammer may be pivoted about its pivot into a cooked positionoverlying said second free end.

9. A detonating device comprising an elongated member having first andsecond free ends with an intermediate, transversely bowed concaveportion therebetween defining an anvil,

, means on said first free end for attachment to between said secondfree end and :said intermediate portion and "biased :into conforming:overlying contact with :said leoncave intermediate portion ."fordetonating ascap positioned therein, and said concave intermediateportion having transversely, inwardly turned 'projectinnsifor dinsuningthat .a nap :placed in ssai d nonnaue rportion will remain insaidaconnavegportion.

10. ;A .detonating device comprising :an elongated :member having first:and second :inee ends with ran'intermediate, transversely :iiowefcleconeave portion 'therehetween defining .an anvil, means :on- :saidfirst :free -1 end for attachment to an article with which thedetonating device is to the :used, a transversely bowed ,-'hammer:Pivoted between zsaid'rseoond free end and :said intermediate portionand biased into nonforming overlyingcontact :with :said coneaveintermediatepnrtionior detonatinga capfpositioned there.- in, landgsaidintermediate :portion having transe verselyrextendingaahutmentsratbothends thereofzfor' preventing iongitudinal movement of a eaptplaeed'inisaid cone-ave portion.

- 2111. A :detonating device comprising :an elonated member havin firstand econd ends with :an intermediate, atransversely :bo-wed eoncavewort-ion therebetween defining-an anvil,

means on said first :free end for attachment to an article .with whichthe detonating device "is to :be :used, :a transversely bowed hammerpivoted between said :second free end and-said intermediateportionandbiased into conforming overlying nontact'with saidconcaveintermediate portionffor rdetonatinga cap positioned therein, saidhammer having transversely extending ears for gripping by the operatorwhereby the hammer may be pivoted aboutlits pivot into ,a cookedsposition overlying said second free end, and said intermediate portionhaving transversely extending abutments at both endsthereof forpreventing longitudinal movement of a, cap placed in said .concaveportion.

SQR-EN is. ADAMS.

References Cit-ed in the file -of this patent STATES PATENTS Number NameDate 71 936450 Adams Nov, 21,1933

"FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 16,209 Great Britain 1912 383,811Great Britain Nov. 24, 1932 744,874 France Jan. 31, 1933

